‘Proud’ female firefighter Mochonyane honoured by City of Tshwane
Onika Mochonyane (39) was the only women among 17 firefighters who were awarded a medal for bravery by Tshwane Mayor Randal Williams on Thursday morning.
Mochonyane was among firefighters who fought the fire that gutted the Bank of Lisbon building in Johannesburg in 2018.
The fire claimed the lives of three other firefighters.
The 39-year-old Onika Mochonyane says she is happy to be acknowledged for the work she does.
"It is very nice to be acknowledged in the work of line that we do, because being acknowledged gives you the courage to do more.
"Being acknowledged by the mayor today, I was touched because I was the only lady today," said Mochonyane.
Mochonyane described the day of the Bank of Lisbon building fire as “scary yet exciting.”
"I have to say it was scary it was one of those days remember, we had to go to that building where many of our colleagues lost their days.
"We went there and helped out, it was scary but exciting at the moment because it was one of those scenarios that hardly happen," she said.
When Mochonyane joined the Tshwane firefighting crew in 2004, she was one of ten women.
She explained that the men’s attitude towards their female colleagues remains a challenge.
"The challenges are there on a daily basis because we are women, we will never have the same strength as men - so you cannot sit back and say am a lady, I can't pick up that hose, I can't drive that vehicle.
"You have to bring yourself to their level, even though the strength is not the same but when you are there, they see you and feel your presence in the station."
Mochonyane is the leading firefighter at the Rosslyn fire station in the City of Tshwane.
